Zanpakuto…
Their shape and abilities are based on their Soul Reaper's soul.
Soul Reapers gain power
by learning their names and synergizing with them.
They are born with Soul Reapers and die with Soul Reapers.
That is what Zanpakuto are.
That's the result of a Zanpakuto going out of control
after Muramasa manifested it.
You know that Muramasa's ability affected not only captains,
but also regular squad members, right?
Some of them were unable to defeat their Zanpakuto and died.
This Zanpakuto is one of those who went out of control
as a result of losing its master.
I know…
I think I shall name them "Sword Beasts."
Did you hear something crash?
I didn't hear anything.
Everything looks normal.
I guess I was just imagining things.
What's wrong, Ichigo?!
Did you sense something that cannot be seen?
I see…
Maybe I did!
I know nothing!
I can't see anything that can't be seen!
You're not making any sense.
I don't know anything!
I know absolutely nothing!
See you later!
What's wrong with him?
I knew I'd find someone here.
Have you come after me?
Who are you?
It doesn't seem like you're a Soul Reaper or a Hollow…
My master…
Where is my master?
"Master"? You mean, you're?
He's a Zanpakuto!
Wait!
He got away.
A Zanpakuto?
What's going on?
I thought we settled the whole Muramasa incident?
That's what I came here to tell you.
I hear things were very rough this time around.
So how's the Soul Society now?
Has it recovered?
Well, you see…
I hear Muramasa was betrayed by his master.
The poor thing.
Still, he did immense damage to the Soul Society.
He's not one to be pitied.
Sword Beasts?
They're Zanpakuto that have lost their masters.
I feel sorry for them, but we cannot let them roam free.
And, as I suspected, some have already wandered into this world.
How dangerous.
That's the situation, Kurosaki.
And what is that supposed to mean?
Hey, who the hell are you?
It doesn't matter who I am!
I've got no business with stuffed animals!
What did you say?!
Okay, okay! Don't fight, you two!
Matsumoto…
Oh, there he is! There's Captain Hitsugaya!
Captain?
You guys… I never told you to come with me.
Don't make such a scary face.
Haineko wanted to take a peek at the World of the Living.
We're not here to have fun!
Here! Check these out!
WE TWO GET ALONG SO WELL!
RANGIKU & HAINEKO
BEAUTY QUEENS HAVE ARRIVED IN KARAKURA TOWN!
GROWL!
Well, well…
Hey! Who is this woman?!
She's Haineko, my Zanpakuto.
Be kind to her, okay?
No way!
Well, well …
Come on take a look, Ichigo!
No way!
Come on…
It's only natural for a young man like you to want to take a look.
You don't have to hold back.
Come on, come on, come on.
You guys…
Cut it out!
So about these Sword Beasts…
I wonder how many Zanpakuto have lost their owners.
Well…
At the very least, there's probably as many as
the squad members who died in battle.
Hmm… That's quite a lot.
Not only that, but our Zanpakuto,
which we thought had turned back into swords,
are wandering about again.
So it seems.
Well, I'm fine with that. However…
The Sword Beasts no longer have a place to return to.
We cannot ignore them
if they lose control any further and do evil deeds.
I win.
Oh, my. You're right.
I lost again.
Now for your penalty.
Okay, okay…
Here!
Draw for us!
CRAYON
Oh… Okay, okay…
Draw some more!
Like this?
More!
So… Yes, I'm fine with this and all…
Yeah. Definitely. I'm fine with it too…
But I still think it's more natural
for a Zanpakuto to remain inside its sword.
I think so too.
Owowowowow…
Hey, that hurts!
An unexpected parting gift indeed…
This is an odd feeling.
What is?
I've always been with you, even before you manifested,
but it's an odd feeling walking with you side by side.
It is, isn't it?
There was a time when I thought this day would never come…
When was that?
When I saw you break and lose your spiritual pressure.
I was petrified.
I'm sorry for making you worry.
It was all thanks to Captain Kurotsuchi's hard work
that I am here now.
Captain Kurotsuchi, huh?
Let's begin.
Yes, sir.
Captain, it appears to be interfering with some other wave.
It seems my hunch was correct.
She regenerated.
To be honest, I had my doubts about his crazy experiments.
But he saved you,
so I guess I should be thankful to Captain Kurotsuchi.
I suppose so.
Master…
I must find him quickly…
A Hollow…
It was a Sword Beast.
Yeah. But it instantly disappeared. What's going on?
Shall I call Haineko and the others?
No, let's not.
They'd just make things more complicated.
Wow!
You're so cute!
Y-You think so?
Well, the portable gigai is working out well,
and Orihime's clothes seem to fit perfectly.
All that's left…
This looks cooler!
Oh, I kind of like it!
Right?!
Say, Rangiku…
What?
How were the Zanpakuto able to turn back to normal?
Oh… Well, you see…
When a Soul Reaper calls out the name of his Zanpakuto,
it allows the Zanpakuto and the Soul Reaper
to synchronize and fight together.
Captain Kurotsuchi tested out many different ways to return
the Zanpakuto back to normal by making use of that property.
I see…
The rest was easy.
The keywords were synchronization and interference.
All of the brainwashed Zanpakuto were unstable.
In short, I just had to stabilize them.
You probably wouldn't understand my explanation, though.
Stabilize?
That's right.
Muramasa destabilized our existence.
That magnified the small anxieties we had
and caused us to lose control of ourselves.
Hmm… So that's what happened…
What's so funny?
Nothing, sir.
Then…
Can we bring the Sword Beasts under control
using the same method?
We need Captain Kurotsuchi to do all he can.
Sorry, Nanao, but could you go to
the Department of Research and Development one more time for me?
Understood, sir.
Don't forget to take some sweets.
So you want me to do something about this mess?
Yes.
Easy for you to say.
Can you do it?
It doesn't really interest me.
Interest?
I was the one who released
the Zanpakuto from their mind control.
Yes, you were.
Thinking of a way to tame Zanpakuto that have lost their masters
and become Sword Beasts is not very interesting.
But the current situation requires a…
Leave.
What?!
No. Umm…
I'm sorry. My captain isn't feeling well.
Nemu, prepare some tea.
Right away, sir.
Hmm… I guess I have no choice.
This thing…
The relationship shared between Soul Reapers and Zanpakuto…
Yes. In that sense, what led to Muramasa's madness
could have happened to any other Zanpakuto.
We now know that such danger also exists.
I see.
BEAUTIFUL SKIN
BIG EYES
SMALL FACE
You really know all the new spots, Orihime.
I never knew that there was a photo booth like this!
The World of the Living really is amazing!
It changes every time I come.
So, you two want to go to the new fast fashion shop next?
– You bet! – You bet!
What's wrong, Rangiku?
Well…
It's about the Spiritual Pressure of a Sword Beast…
Wait, you were actually searching for it?
I've been tracking its presence all this time.
I may not look it, but I am a lieutenant!
However…
However?
Its Spiritual Pressure changed.
Huh? Why?
Who knows?
We still don't know much about Sword Beasts.
The only thing we do know is that Sword Beasts
are Zanpakuto that have gone out of control.
So I'm going to capture it.
As a Zanpakuto, what do you think?
Well…
I was able to return to normal like this
because you, my master, was safe.
But the Sword Beasts…
They have lost their place to return to.
We're the same Zanpakuto, and yet…
Whether a Zanpakuto lives or dies all depends on its master…
Rain…
Let's go!
It's close!
What?
A Sword Beast?!
It's definitely the Spiritual Pressure of a Sword Beast.
But something is?
What is that?
This one…
Is it a Hollow?
Stand back!
Are you all right?
Yeah, I'm fine.
What the heck? That's a Hollow!
Oh no. In this form…
Leave it to me!
Haineko?!
I'll fight!
Haineko!
Where?
Where is he?
Give me back my master!
What are you blabbering about, Hollow?
Where is my master?!
Who is this guy?
Ichigo!
Kurosaki!
Rangiku!
Take care of her.
There's no escape.
Let's end this here.
Ichigo…
This is the Zanpakuto from earlier.
What?
My master…
Where is my master?!
But it looks completely different.
It appears it has fused with a Hollow.
You're right. I've never seen a Hollow use a sword before.
Sorry…
Here I go.
Getsuga…
What power…
Damn it!
Reign over the Frosted Heavens!
Hyorinmaru!
Toshiro!
That's what I thought…
Yeah, it was stronger than I expected.
I figured their Spiritual Pressure would increase
if they fused with another Spiritual Entity…
But it seems like they're going to be trouble.
Be careful.
Yes, sir.
I'm going to turn in my report on this incident.
We're going back to the Soul Society.
Hey, where did everyone go?
Raingiku and the other went off to continue shopping.
Hyorinmaru isn't here, either.
They took him along to carry their things.
Hyorinmaru!
Illustrated Guide to Soul Reapers!
I want to see what he looks like under that mask.
Yeah.
MEN'S BATH
This place is perfect!
I can't believe we're waiting here to take a look at a man.
Well, if we want a peek…
Oh! There he is!
What do you want?
Why don't you take off your mask?!